ON NOT "WINGING IT"
Advise from a career coach
Questions and answers from an article in the New York Times by Career Coach Phyllis Korkki.

Although you're an expert on a subject you still feel terrified when asked to Deliver a speech on the subject. Fear of making a mistake, thus appearing foolish or result in someone questioning Your expertise. Anxiety about public speaking is partly biological and therefore natural, It is prompted by the brain's fight-or-flight mechanism, which emerges During stressful situations. This is just your body trying to assist your mind. Your reaction to this situation is to fully prepare your speech will calm Your fears of failure.

PREPARATION - What and how much?

In preparation - should your speech be written out word-for-word? Only a political speech must be delivered as written. Make an outline with headlines of important points, your speech will be more Extemporaneous, your personality will make a connection with the audience.

REHEARSAL

The most important and effective way to eliminate anxiety. Be sure you Visit the place you are making the speech in and if possible run through the Speech on-site. The more you deliver the speech out loud in rehearsal the More your subconscious will tell you that you have delivered the speech So many times the real presentation in front the audience will not be A challenge. Taking advantage of videotape or audiotape also helps in Helping you adjust phrasing of your speech and the sound of your own Voice will help build your self confidence.

MORE PREPARATION

Visit the site you are going to deliver the presentation at, if possible become Familiar with the available sound system and rehearse your presentation at that Site. Find out as much as possible about the audience. How many, who are they? Will there be time for a Q and A session? If there is to be a Question and Answer session, try to anticipate questions that may arise and prepare responses. Check audio/visual equipment and prepare a back up plan should it break down. DELIVERING THE PRESENTATION Practice slowing down your speech pattern, a slower delivery allows for more Inflection in your voice and better emphases on important points. Use effective audience contact methods; make eye contact with members of the audience. Scan the audience then either settle between two persons or settle upon one person and shift your gaze from time to time to others. Your comfort is important to help your relaxed body language. Lean toward your audience and use your hands to emphasize important points in your address, smile and show your enjoying yourself, it will transfer to the audience.

TECHNOLOGY

PowerPoint or other visual aids may be used to support your presentation but should be used as support only. Keep frames limited in number and less material on each frame headline only. Remember do not make the audience start reading you'll lose them or they will go to sleep. The emphasis must remain on your verbal presentation and video support just that.

AND SO IN CONCLUSION!

Part of personal preparation should be to visualize success! Visualize your audience enjoying your presentation, a positive attitude transfers to the audience. Don't hear footsteps, forget you're self, do not check "How am I doing" just concentrate on getting your message across. Your ultimate goal is to communicate with the audience successfully and to finish within set time limits.


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